Pleasanton Weekly

Arts & Entertainment - April 29, 2011

Poetic Pleasanton

Questions can inspire poetry

by Deborah Grossman
People often ask writers about what inspires them. Al Young, California Poet Laureate Emeritus, gave the keynote address and taught several workshops at the recent Pleasanton Poetry, Prose and the Arts Festival. One of the creative exerc

What is a Town?

What is a town?

Who built the schools?

Why do we need a stage?

How many went to war?

Where are the gardens?

Why not enough roses for everyone?

Do we improvise or repeat each plan?

Who remembers the original theme?

Who met respect?

Where are the horses, the hard workers?

Have you bumped into peace lately?

Are there enough baseballs to win?

Is compassion around the corner?

Who planted the sycamores?

How do we kick goals at the same time?

Did we learn civil debate in civics?

When did we carry integrity in our back pocket?

Who will finish the puzzle?

Coming soon: Graduation Poetry Blitz

Teen Poets Laureate Noelle Malindzak and Mitch Grimes at Amador Valley High School and Vivian Tsai at Foothill High are planning an end-of-year poetry reading and open mic for Tri-Valley teens and the public from 6:30-9 p.m., Friday, June 3, at Century House, 2401 Santa Rita Road. Admission is free for students with ID; adults, $5. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PleasantonPoetry or www.firehousearts.org/programs/literary-arts.

Deborah Grossman is Pleasanton's Poet Laureate. Email her at pleasantonpoetry@gmail.com.